Nairobi, Dec. 4 -- Kenya's private sector loses about Sh95.5billion annually due to gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH), a survey by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has said.

The loss is attributable to absenteeism or presenteeism, where workers are physically at work but may not be able to fully perform their duties and are more likely to make mistakes on the job.

"Across Kenya's private sector, the total annual cost of GBVH is estimated at: Sh95.5 billion ($0.71 billion) - equivalent to approximately 1 percent of GDP. This includes: Sh67 billion in productivity losses and Sh28.5 billion in direct HR-related costs," the IFC said.

"These losses manifest through absenteeism, presenteeism, turnover, decreased morale, ...